Niall Collins
Ceist:396. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5116/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Data
Ceisteanna (396, 408)
Charles Ward
Ceist:408. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the amendment Bill relating to the defective concrete blocks grant scheme; to clarify when the Amendment Bill is expected to be enacted; the way in which the amended scheme will be administered; the role of local authorities; whether any interim administrative arrangements are being considered pending its commencement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5255/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 396 and 408 together.
The Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the current grant scheme and the related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023.
The Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill 2025 was initiated in Dáil Eireann on 2 December 2025, passed both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President, thereby becoming an Act, on the 23 December 2025.
The 2025 amendments make provision for the 2024 increases in the Scheme cap and rates to apply to a wider group of relevant owners, along with a number of technical amendments to ensure equity and efficient administration of the Scheme. The related Regulations will be adopted as soon as possible and provide for all matters within the Act which require to be prescribed and will provide the finer detail around how the amendments will operate in the scheme. A date for commencement of the new provisions of the amended Act will also be set as soon as possible and therefore no interim administrative arrangements are being considered at this time.
Local authorities have responsibility for the administration of the Scheme. This includes the initial validation of applications, notifying homeowners of the Housing Agency's determinations on damage threshold, the appropriate remediation option and grant amount, determination of the grant payable for alternative accommodation and storage costs and immediate repair works and the subsequent payment of grants to successful applicants.
Question No. 397 answered with Question No. 257.
Defective Building Materials
Ceisteanna (398)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:398. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the apartment and duplex defects remediation scheme; how retrospective costs will be handled; and the eligibility criteria. [5143/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Government approval was received on 18 September 2024 for the priority drafting of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill. The purpose of this legislation is to place the defects remediation Scheme on a statutory footing, further to commitments contained in the Programme for Government and Housing for All.
The Scheme will provide supports for the remediation of relevant fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. It is envisaged that 100% of eligible remediation costs will be funded under the Scheme.
The General Scheme of the Bill completed pre-legislative scrutiny in December 2025 and I expect the legislation to be placed before the Oireachtas this year.
The Government is committed to consideration of remediation costs already incurred as part of the drafting of the Bill. Remediation costs already incurred or levied prior to the introduction of the statutory scheme will be covered, once such costs fall within the scope and defined parameters of the Scheme.
On 22 October 2024 the Government agreed the establishment of a Retrospective Costs Pathfinder Exercise from a representative sample of eight multi-unit developments, in order to identify and develop a potential appropriate process to address retrospective issues, based on fire safety remedial works completed.
The Housing Agency received a large volume of documentation from the respective Owner Management Companies (OMCs) which is being used to help identify an appropriate process to address retrospective issues more broadly. In particular, the Pathfinder Exercise will support development of a robust process around:
• Alignment with the existing Interim Remediation Scheme processes;
• Supporting Documentation and Timeframes;
• Certification and Standardisation of Evidence;
• Verification and Payment processes.
I will return to Government before any retrospective payments are made, to update on the outcome from the pathfinder, based on lessons learned. A proposal on how retrospective payments could operate in practice will form part of this update. The aim is to identify a process that provides a streamlined approach, ease of engagement by applicants and ensures good governance regarding Exchequer funding.
Water Quality
Ceisteanna (399)
John Lahart
Ceist:399. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify in relation to the designation of heavily modified water bodies for Ireland’s third cycle river basin management plan, if the proposal appeared is to remove the requirement to achieve GES Good Ecological Status and instead aim for GEP Good Ecological Potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5150/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The designation of Heavily Modified Water Bodies (HMWBs) is provided for under the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD).
Heavily Modified Water Bodies (HMWBs) are rivers, lakes, or estuarine and coastal waters that have had their physical characteristics such as flow, form and function (hydromorphology) altered to serve a specified use that is beneficial to society. The specified uses under which the current HMWB designations have taken place are:
• Water storage and regulation (i.e. major impounding structures such as dams and reservoirs);
• Flood protection,
• The urban environment,
• Arterial drainage, and
• Navigation.
The WFD requires that all natural water bodies achieve the environmental objective of Good Ecological Status (GES). Designation as a HMWB is an acknowledgment that the water body cannot achieve the objective of GES as a result of its modification. HMWBs therefore must attain a more realistic objective of Good Ecological Potential (GEP). This is the highest condition that they can achieve whilst still supplying a specified use which is of benefit to society.
When setting an objective of GEP for a HMWB the requirement remains to ensure that those elements, which are not sensitive to hydromorphological impacts but sensitive to other pressures such as nutrient or organic enrichment, are considered. Where a pressure is not related to the hydromorphological impacts, such as nutrient enrichment, the environmental target for that element will remain the same as for natural water bodies even if the water body is designated as heavily modified. Only those elements that are directly affected by the physical modifications supporting the specified use are considered when assigning an alternative target (GEP). It is important to note that GEP will reflect the best environmental target that the water body is capable of achieving while the modifications to support the specified use are still in place.
Defining what GEP looks like for each HMWB is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency.
The designation of HMWBs is an iterative process and will be reviewed and repeated in each subsequent River Basin Management Cycle under the WFD. Each review takes into account current technical knowledge and policies in relation to the specified uses under consideration.
Defective Building Materials
Ceisteanna (400)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:400. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to address defective concrete blocks in Rush and Lusk; the timeline for when the remediation scheme will be extended to these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5179/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 which underpins the enhanced Defective Concrete Block Scheme was commenced in June 2023.
The Scheme is currently open to applications in five counties, namely Clare, Donegal, Limerick, Mayo and Sligo.
When a local authority that is not currently designated under the Scheme determines that homes within their area may have been damaged by defective concrete blocks, they can seek to have the Scheme extended to include any such county or part of that county.
Section 5 of the Act contains details on this process. The statutory designation process can commence upon a request by a local authority or by myself, as Minister, to the Housing Agency. The Agency thereafter carries out technical testing of dwellings.
After the completion of any testing, the Housing Agency makes a recommendation to the Minister as to whether an order to designate the whole or part of a local authority's area should or should not be made by the Government.
I understand that Fingal County Council, in accordance with the Act, submitted a request to the Housing Agency for inclusion in the Scheme and this request related to a small number of properties in their area.
The Housing Agency appointed a Chartered Engineer from their panel to assist in their investigations. The investigations included concrete block testing, as required under the Act.
Subsequently, the Housing Agency received the test results from the properties sampled in Fingal and I received the final report from the Housing Agency on 27 November 2025. On the basis of the recommendations made by the Agency I intend to shortly bring the matter to Government seeking approval for the making of an Order designating the relevant parts of Fingal County Council as being part of the DCB Scheme.
Housing Schemes
Ceisteanna (401)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:401. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current income limits that apply for social housing applicants in counties Cavan and Monaghan; whether he will amend those limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5186/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The baseline income thresholds increased by €5,000 for all local authorities with effect from 1 January 2023. The thresholds thus increased to €40,000, €35,000 and €30,000 for Bands 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Cavan and Monaghan are both in Band 3. An illustrative table of the current net income limits is published at [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/social-housing-support-table-of-income-limits/]
These thresholds are net income thresholds, i.e. gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. Income is defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
The Policy, published on my Department's website [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/social-housing-support-household-means-policy/] provides for a range of income disregards and local authorities also have discretion to disregard income that is once-off, temporary or short-term in nature and which is outside the regular pattern of a person’s annual income.
My Department has been examining the existing income limits in the context of current market and household income conditions, including the suitability or otherwise of the current framework having regard to the significantly changed landscape since the standardised income limits were introduced. This includes examining the findings of research commissioned by my Department and this work is ongoing.
I am not in a position at this point to indicate the outcome of these considerations but I envisage that the analysis will be concluded early in 2026 to facilitate a final determination on next steps.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (402)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:402. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority homes, by new builds and acquisitions delivered in County Monaghan in each year 2020-2025 inclusive; the estimated delivery for 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5187/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority, including Monaghan. The data is broken down in many ways, including by delivery type such as new builds and acquisitions. This data is available to the end of Q3 2025 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/. It should be noted that a large portion of the housing delivery across the country usually occurs in Q4 each year so the full picture of housing delivery for 2025 will become clearer once the Q4 2025 statistics are published. The Q4 2025 statistics are currently being collated and verified and will be published in due course, following the usual timeline of Q4 publications.
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. Data is collated at project level rather than individual unit level. The most recent publication was for Quarter 3 2025 and the Q4 2025 CSR will be published alongside the Q4 2025 statistics mentioned above. All CSRs are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/.
The CSR shows that there were 192 homes at various stages of design and procurement in Monaghan at the end of Q3 2025, including 107 homes onsite (SHIP x 164 units, CAS x 28 units).
Below is a table outlining Social Housing Delivery in Monaghan from 2020 to Q3 2025, broken down by delivery type.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (403)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:403. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority homes, by new builds and acquisitions delivered in County Cavan in each year 2020-2025 inclusive; the estimated delivery for 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5188/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority, including Cavan. The data is broken down in many ways, including by delivery type such as new builds and acquisitions. This data is available to the end of Q3 2025 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/. It should be noted that a large portion of the housing delivery across the country usually occurs in Q4 each year so the full picture of housing delivery for 2025 will become clearer once the Q4 2025 statistics are published. The Q4 2025 statistics are currently being collated and verified and will be published in due course, following the usual timeline of Q4 publications.
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. Data is collated at project level rather than individual unit level. The most recent publication was for Quarter 3 2025 and the Q4 2025 CSR will be published alongside the Q4 2025 statistics mentioned above. All CSRs are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
The CSR shows that there were 451 homes at various stages of design and procurement in Cavan at the end of Q3 2025, including 220 homes onsite (SHIP x 336 units, CAS x 8 units, CALF x 107 units).
Below is a table outlining Social Housing Delivery in Cavan from 2020 to Q3 2025, broken down by delivery type.
Total Social Housing Delivery in Cavan 2020- Q3 2025
|
Year |
Build |
Acquisition |
Lease |
BAL Total |
RAS |
HAP |
Overall Total |
|
2020 |
23 |
25 |
4 |
52 |
9 |
154 |
215 |
|
2021 |
37 |
8 |
17 |
62 |
7 |
122 |
191 |
|
2022 |
98 |
6 |
12 |
116 |
14 |
83 |
213 |
|
2023 |
37 |
16 |
8 |
61 |
26 |
141 |
228 |
|
2024 |
77 |
14 |
12 |
103 |
15 |
127 |
245 |
|
Q1 2025 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
5 |
22 |
33 |
|
Q2 2025 |
9 |
0 |
2 |
11 |
5 |
23 |
39 |
|
Q3 2025 |
41 |
0 |
4 |
45 |
5 |
21 |
71 |
|
Total |
325 |
69 |
62 |
456 |
86 |
693 |
1,235 |
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (404, 405)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:404. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority affordable homes delivered in County Monaghan in each year 2020-2025 inclusive; the estimated delivery for 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5189/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMatt Carthy
Ceist:405. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority affordable homes delivered in County Cavan in each year 2020-2025 inclusive; the estimated delivery for 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5190/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 404 and 405 together.
Affordability, homeownership and secure rental supports are at the core of this Government’s housing policy. This commitment is clearly set out in the new national housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, which builds on the progress already made since 2021, under the previous plan Housing for All. The new plan significantly strengthens the State’s response to the challenges of housing supply and affordability.
The Plan requires every local authority to prepare a new Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP) to clearly identify affordable housing need in their area and set out how that need will be met. The preparation of HDAP's will include identifying particular pockets of affordable housing need within areas, with a view to providing affordable dwellings to provide for these.
HDAP's will help to build on the delivery of almost 19,000 affordable housing solutions achieved under Housing for All, including 139 homes delivered in Cavan and 138 in Monaghan up to the end of Q3 2025. This delivery has been driven by practical, effective supports such as the First Home Scheme and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
Monaghan County Council are in the process of delivering 10 affordable purchase homes at Station View and 16 cost rental homes at Park Street, both in Monaghan Town. Additionally, a further application for AHF support towards the delivery of 10 Part V affordable purchase units in Monaghan is currently under assessment within my Department.
To further accelerate delivery in both Cavan and Monaghan, my Department has engaged directly with the housing staff in both County Councils to assess affordable housing need, support the development of their delivery pipelines and ensure that all available supports are being fully utilised.
My Department will continue to work intensively with all of the local authorities and delivery partners to expand the supply of affordable and starter homes, ensuring that all of the Government's programmes are responsive to real demand on the ground and continue to deliver tangible outcomes for individuals and families seeking to own or rent an affordable home.
Quarterly housing delivery reports will continue to be published on my Department's website to help track the progress of Cavan and Monaghan County Councils and all other local authority affordable delivery output to 2030, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/overall-social-and-affordable-housing-provision/ .
Question No. 405 answered with Question No. 404.
Heritage Schemes
Ceisteanna (406)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:406. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if steps will be taken to preserve the heritage of thatched cottages (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5194/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am very much aware of the issues that are currently facing thatched houses.
There are various schemes within my Department that provide financial support to owners of thatched structures. A dedicated Thatching Grant is available for thatched buildings in use as housing. Applicants can avail of up to €3,810 or two thirds of the approved cost (whichever is less) towards necessary roof repair or renewal. A higher grant (up to €5,714) may be payable for houses on specified islands. For owners of qualifying thatch properties who are also Medical Card holders the maximum grant available is €6,350, or up to 80% of the approved cost (€8,252 for Islands).
Further support is available for historic thatched buildings through the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS), principally under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS). This scheme is administered by the local authorities and funded by my Department. Since 2023, it has included a dedicated funding stream for historic thatched buildings which offers grants of up to €20,000 for thatching or other conservation work. Owners of historic thatched buildings may also apply for funding from the main stream of the BHIS.
Funding of €500,000 is available each year for the Thatching Grant. Under the schemes operated by the NBHS, which allocate funding at the beginning of each year, €1,250,000 has been awarded to thatched buildings in 2025. Altogether, €1.65m has been made available this year to support works in thatched buildings. This means that, on a per building basis, thatched buildings receive more than three times as much grant funding as protected structures which do not have a thatched roof.
In determining the appropriate level of support, a very important consideration is that the number of skilled thatchers is limited. Last year many owners did not draw down the grants awarded because they were unable to secure the services of a thatcher. Given this constraint, there is a substantial risk that the main effect of further increasing the grant funding available would simply be to drive up the price of thatching work.
Thankfully, important steps have been taken to increase the supply of skilled thatchers. Last year eleven thatchers finished an introductory forty-two week course offered by Kilkenny-Carlow Education and Training Board in conjunction with the Heritage Council. These courses, together with the informal training offered by experienced thatchers, will greatly enhance capacity to make full use of the funding supports available.
I am also aware that securing affordable home insurance has proven difficult for owners of thatched buildings in recent years. My Department has carried out research which indicates that this is due to a period of high incidence of fire in thatched buildings, in part due to increased use of wood-burning stoves. To address this issue, my Department has published new fire safety guidelines for thatched property owners and created an advice service to offer further guidance on risk mitigation.
Data gathered by my Department suggests that these activities are having a positive effect, with the number of reported fires in thatch properties falling from an average of 14 per year from 2017-2022, to 6 in the year to September 2023 and 5 in the year to September 2024. I understand that the Department of Finance is liaising with insurers and their representative bodies to seek solutions for thatched buildings based on this improvement. I hope that this will be the first step in ensuring these important structures are maintained.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (407)
Michael Cahill
Ceist:407. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to proceed with the public plaza and theatre, on the Áras Phádraig site in Killarney town under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund; if he will give favourable consideration to one and two bedroom apartments that are urgently required in Killarney; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5234/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A flagship element of Project Ireland 2040, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is providing part-funding for applicant-led projects that will significantly contribute to the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s cities and other large towns, in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan.
In 2021, following the second call for proposals under the URDF, funding support was announced for Kerry County Council's successful proposal – Destination Killarney. This proposal included the regeneration of the Áras Phádraig site to develop a cultural and commercial hub, and involved the construction of a new theatre, with community space, and public plaza, as well as a serviced site to be provided to the HSE for a Primary Care Centre.
The project received Preliminary Business Case Approval in March 2022. The Council initially obtained Part 8 planning in February 2025 for the regeneration of the Áras Phádraig site. However, an issue with the relevant Part 8 submission was subsequently identified and this decision was rescinded at a special meeting of Killarney Municipal District in July 2025. At the same meeting, permission to proceed with the resubmitted Part 8 was refused.
My Department is currently awaiting a further submission from the Council setting out its revised proposals for progressing the project. This submission will be given due consideration in the context of the original Call 2 application.
In relation to the consideration of providing one and two bedroom apartments on the site, and while it is a matter for Kerry County Council to decide on the most appropriate use for the site, it should be noted that the URDF does not provide funding for residential units so other relevant funding sources should be sought for such a proposal.
Finally, while my Department works closely and communicates regularly with Kerry County Council, responsibility for the advancement of URDF-supported projects through the various stages of the project lifecycle is, in the first instance, a matter for the Sponsoring Agency (in this case Kerry County Council).
Question No. 408 answered with Question No. 396.
Wind Energy Generation
Ceisteanna (409)
Peter 'Chap' Cleere
Ceist:409. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will put be an immediate moratorium on any wind turbine projects until updated wind energy regulations are established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5271/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Placing a moratorium on all wind energy developments is not being considered at present. The 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of any revised guidance in this regard.
My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines which will inform a new National Planning Statement on Wind Energy under the new Planning and Development Act 2024. The review is addressing a number of key aspects of the Guidelines including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Climate, Environment, and Energy (DCEE) which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, has been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of the National Planning Statement, formerly known as the revised Wind Energy Development Guidelines, which is highly technical in nature. In addition to work on the noise aspects of the National Planning Statement, the evolving policy and technical context including the new Planning and Development Act 2024 and the revision of the National Planning Framework reinforces the need to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose.
At the local level, the city and county development plans set out where development is acceptable including wind energy development. The making of the local city or county development plan is a reserved function of the local authority members. It is open to members of the public to make an observation or submission on a draft city or county development plan. In addition, the planning consent system provides for public or community engagement in respect of any development which requires planning permission.
Local Authorities
Ceisteanna (410, 411)
Peter 'Chap' Cleere
Ceist:410. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if additional funding will be made available to Carlow County Council in 2026 for housing adaptation grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5286/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPeter 'Chap' Cleere
Ceist:411. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if additional funding will be made available to Kilkenny County Council in 2026 for housing adaptation grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5287/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 410 and 411 together.
My Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities under the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People scheme, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The suite of grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, which are now 85% funded from the Exchequer, with a 15% contribution from the resources of the local authority under the revised scheme which commenced from 1 December 2024. The detailed administration of the scheme including assessment, approval, prioritisation and budgetary apportionment is the responsibility of local authorities.
Budget 2026 provided for an increase of €30m in the funding provision for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People, with almost €130 million in Exchequer funding available for the Scheme, or over €152 million when accounting for the local authority contribution. This will ensure that all local authorities receive an increase in funding allocations in 2026.
My Department advises local authorities annually that, as far as practicable, a percentage of the allocation under the schemes should be ring fenced in respect of any emergency applications which might arise under these schemes during the course of the year. Consequently, all local authorities manage their schemes to ensure access to the grants programme is maintained to the extent possible throughout the year on a priority basis.
In advance of formal notification of the 2026 funding allocations to local authorities, which will issue shortly, work in respect of these programmes can continue as local authorities may commit up to 75% of their 2025 allocation in approving applications for 2026. This ensures seamless continuation of these grant schemes from year to year.
Question No. 411 answered with Question No. 410.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (412, 413)
Peter 'Chap' Cleere
Ceist:412. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the initiatives being taken to support affordable housing in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5291/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPeter 'Chap' Cleere
Ceist:413. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the initiatives being taken to support affordable housing in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5292/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 412 and 413 together.
Government is fully committed to delivering housing at scale and continuing to accelerate housing supply across all tenures. To this end, affordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities.
Under this new housing plan, the supports established under the previous plan, Housing for All , will be retained, streamlined and expanded to form a Starter Homes Programme, which will ensure that first time buyers and renters in need of support will continue to be supported by the State.
Kilkenny has seen over 300 affordable housing supports delivered since 2021 under the Local Authority Affordable Purchase scheme (46 homes), the First Home scheme (140 homes), the Vacant Homes Refurbishment Grant (91 homes), the Cost Rental Equity Loan scheme (25 homes) and the Cost Rental Tenant in Situ scheme (3 homes).
Kilkenny County Council has submitted an affordable purchase scheme application to my Department, which is currently under assessment, with the potential to deliver 37 new homes. My Department will continue to engage with all delivery partners to further the development of the affordable housing delivery pipeline in Kilkenny.
Carlow has also seen the delivery of over 100 affordable housing supports since 2021, via the Local Authority Affordable Purchase scheme (15 homes), the First Home scheme (62 homes), the Vacant Homes Refurbishment Grant (31 homes) and the Cost Rental Tenant in Situ scheme (2 homes).
In order to continue to drive the delivery of affordable housing, all local authorities will prepare new Housing Delivery Action Plans (HDAP’s), replacing plans made under Housing for All. HADP’s will set out how the Starter Homes Programme will be implemented within each administrative area. This development of HDAP’s will be undertaken in collaboration with delivery partners, including the Land Development Agency and Approved Housing Bodies, as applicable, and will be informed by local needs, taking account of the requirement to provide the right mix of homes within localities.
Quarterly housing delivery reports will continue to be published on my Department's website, to help track the progress of both Kilkenny and Carlow County Councils, and all other local authority’s affordable delivery output to 2030.
My Department will continue to work intensively with all of the local authorities and delivery partners to expand the supply of affordable and starter homes, thereby continuing to deliver tangible outcomes for individuals and families seeking to own or rent an affordable home.
Question No. 413 answered with Question No. 412.